PennDOT conducted explosive blasting on the hillside in January 2008 in an effort to bring down rocks and permanently correct the rockslide problem.

[3][4] PA 271 enters Conemaugh Township in Somerset County and heads northeast for 0.9 miles (1.4 km) through more forested areas near the state park.

[3][5] The route crosses into Upper Yoder Township in Cambria County and becomes Menoher Boulevard, leaving Laurel Ridge State Park and heading through more forests.

The route crosses Stonycreek River and turns north onto Bedford Street, which heads south to provide access to and from eastbound PA 56.

At this point, PA 271 enters the borough of East Conemaugh and becomes Main Street, crossing over Norfolk Southern's Pittsburgh Line before running through the commercial downtown.

The route turns northeast onto William Penn Avenue and heads through wooded areas with some fields and homes, running through Wesley Chapel.

Farther north, the road turns to the northeast and passes through Mundys Corner before coming to a partial cloverleaf interchange with US 22, at which point it is briefly a four-lane divided highway.

The route becomes a two-lane undivided road again and heads north through more wooded areas with some homes before crossing into the borough of Nanty Glo and becoming Shoemaker Street, gaining a center left-turn lane and passing a few businesses.

PA 271 becomes two-lane Book Street and passes more homes and commercial establishments, turning northeast and crossing South Branch Blacklick Creek.